Queens Park Rangers have reportedly suffered a setback in the appointment of their new manager ahead of the summer transfer window.
The West London side were rumoured to be in talks with Johannes Hoff Thorup over their managerial vacancy. Despite a reported offer on the table, the former Norwich City manager has chosen to decline the opportunity to take over at the Matrade Loftus Road Stadium.
What is the current managerial situation at Queens Park Rangers?Â
Queens Park Rangers finished the 2024-25 Championship season 15th in the table having accumulated 56 points. Despite a lack of relegation concerns at the end of the season, the Hoops finished the season with Kevin Betsy and Xavi Calm in interim charge due to the departure of Martà Cifuentes.
The 42 year old was placed on gardening leave at the end of April due to his representatives making contact with West Bromwich Albion over the vacant manager’s job at The Hawthorns. The West London club have since been searching for a replacement for Cifuentes ahead of their 11th consecutive season in the second tier.
Their search for a new head coach led to the Danish manager Johannes Hoff Thorup who most recently led Championship rivals Norwich City. The Hoops were rumoured to be ready to offer the 36 year old the role as head coach but most recent reports have suggested that this offer has been rejected by Thorup.
Why were Queens Park Rangers interested in Johannes Hoff Thorup?Â
Thorup was appointed manager of Norwich City ahead of the 2024-25 Championship season after success with FC Nordsjælland in his native Denmark. The 36 year old was appointed with a clear style of play of high possession, attacking high energy play.
One of the main reasons why Queens Park Rangers were likely interested in Thorup was his ability to implement an attacking style of play at Carrow Road. The Canaries were second highest scorers in the division with 1.5 goals per match and ranked third for big chances created with a total of 109.
The Dane managed to implement this alongside a possession heavy style of play. Norwich were ranked second, behind only Leeds, for average possession in the Championship with 58.2%.
Despite the fact that only Cardiff City and Plymouth Argyle had a worse average goals conceded per match than the East Anglian side, Queens Park Rangers may have had faith in Thorup’s processes due to Norwich’s expected goals (xG) conceded. The Canaries conceded 13.4 more goals than their xG conceded which suggests that Thorup built a side that was free-scoring and giving up less chances than they actually conceded.
There were some who suggested that Thorup’s sacking at Norwich was harsh and Queens Park Rangers may have seen the positive impact the Dane had on the East Anglian side. Despite their interest in the 36 year old, the Hoops will now have to look elsewhere in their search for a new head coach.
Who could Queens Park Rangers look to appoint as head coach?
There is little doubt that a reported decline of a deal from Thorup is a blow to the West London side. The Hoops will most likely look to appoint a young and progressive manager similar to Cifuentes and Thorup.
One young, up and coming manager who the West London side could look to is Tom Cleverley. The former England International was sacked by Watford at the end of the season for failing to make the play-offs.
Despite this perceived failure, Cleverley has been praised for his approach to transforming Watford despite the pressure from the club’s owners. With his experience of managing in the second tier and commitment to front-footed attacking play he could be a sensible choice for Queens Park Rangers.
If the West London side are tempted to look abroad for their next appointment then they could be tempted by Hammarby IF’s head coach Kim Hellberg. The Swedish manager has his side sitting second in the Allsvenskan with the highest possession in the division (61.9%) and the fewest goals conceded per match (0.7 goals).
Regardless of the setback, Queens Park Rangers have got time on their hands to find a suitable candidate to take the head coach role at the Matrade Loftus Road Stadium.
